New youth sailing club in the wind

JULIA WADE

Hot on the success of New Zealand’s incredible America’s Cup win earlier this year, Mangawhai youngsters will have a chance to sail local waters this spring, with plans already in the wind for a youth yachting club to be in full sail once the tide has turned on the coming winter months.

Members of Maungaturoto Rotary Club have formed a satellite group with Mangawhai locals, and together have been working on establishing a junior sailing club based at the Mangawhai Boating & Fishing Club at Alamar Crescent. The group aims to form the Mangawhai Youth Sailing Club, to provide small sailing dinghies and sailing lessons on the estuary for young people, at no actual cost.

The generous idea will see youth from 10-17 years-old, (35-70 kg) learn to sail a Starling, the type America’s Cup winner Peter Burling learned his craft in, and Optimist dinghies, with professional tutor Wayne McLellen, teaching them the ropes.

Rotary member, project manager and lifelong sailor and boatie Graham Carbery says the idea came about from seeing very few sails in Mangawhai’s waters.

“There is something lacking in Mangawhai, the estuary is beautiful, there’s jet skis all over it, but not a lot of sails.”

Interest in learning the recognised marine sport has already been registered with a recent facebook post keeping Carbery’s phone busy and in-box full with enquires.

“There’s also been a lot of interest in people joining Rotary which is wonderful, as we do a lot for the community,” he says. “We have three boats to start teaching with but the idea is to have parents bring their own boats as well.”

Lessons will set sail in late September and a second meeting at Mangawhai Boat Club will be held on May 18 for interested parties. Parents can also contact Graham Carbery direct on (09) 431 3289 or 022 430 1351.

Members of Maungaturoto Rotary Club and the newly-formed Mangawhai satellite group, have put wind in the sails of a brand-new club aiming to give local kids a go at sailing. Rotary Club president Rodney Tysoe (centre) crouches by the Starling, one of the boats to be used for older youth, with project manager Graham Carbery to his left, and sailing tutor Wayne McLellen, back right. PHOTO/MARLENE DRAGICEVICH